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Thursday, February 27, 2014

What would happenIf I told you the truth?That deep within meThere is a woundI opened my armsTrying to find itBut there was only bloodAnd hospitalsInside my skin

I turned up my musicTrying to hear whereIt was coming fromBut there were only wordsAnd tears that grew thickLike a trampled flower

Sometimes I glimpse itAfter a torrential rainIn the earth worms bloatedAnd stranded on the asphalt

I want to reach down To pick up every last oneTo place them on dry soilBut there are too many to saveWhat would happen If I told you these wounds never heal?They are open in our bodiesLike the arms of a motherAnticipating an embraceKnowing vulnerabilityUnable to avoid it.In my heart I know I could find my wound
Find dry landIn just one embrace From you

I'm an adventurer first and foremost. I am an avid trail runner, student of yoga and crazy for slack lining. I race 100 mile ultra marathons. I like to see the world upside down and I hope my blog helps you see it that way too! Welcome! I love hearing from you.

I love the title to start with because that's just what we do isn't it? My challenge here is to outline a few common mistakes ultra runners, especially 100 mile runners, make as they explore the fuzzy line between unique and crazy. The line that separates pain and masochism. The experience of being alive and the one of being a slave to routine or ideology. I'm going to start with the most egregious threat to ultra runners:

1. Avoiding Caffeine in preparation for a Race: this is probably the most no good idea I've seen all my friends practice. Here's why you'll never see me do it: it just sounds sucky. Why would I avoid my most pleasurable taste adventure in the morning for a massive caffeine jolt during a race? I say prepare your body for massive doses of caffeine during the race by indulging in the weeks before an event. Cup of coffee in the morning? Why yes! Two shots on vanilla ice cream? Bring it on. Triple Americano for the drive to Portland? Hell yeah. All 3 in one freaking awesome caffeine enhanced day? It's called 100 mile training. That way when you have 40 gels during your 100 miler that each have a shot worth of caffeine, you'll handle it in stride.

2. Trying to finish under 24 hours: I added this for you 100 mile newbies. You all want that sub-24 finish. It doesn't seem to matter if it's Western States or Hardrock. Run by feel and you cannot go wrong. Run by time and you will go wrong. Don't worry if this doesn't make sense. It will after you've done a few or after Karl Meltzer passes your went-out-like-it-was-a-flat-5k-butt.

3. Buying Peace of Mind: Be careful making last minute purchases before a race. They are almost always a bad idea. As we get nervous about a race, our mind tries to think of things that will make us feel better: maybe I need that more burly pair of trail shoes. Oh man, maybe I should buy that super starch that everyone says will give me more sustained energy. I think I need new shorts. That waist pack might be a better idea than my backpack. Let go of the fear, you have everything you need 'cause you're here, right?! You can't buy peace of mind no matter how hard you try!

4. Wearing Gaiters: Ask yourself these three questions: 1. Is it snowing and/or am I going to run in the snow? 2. Will I be running Plain 100? 3. Am I wearing hiking boots, a rucksack and sporting hiking poles? If you answer no to all three questions you are not allowed to wear gaiters. Trust me it will simplify your life.

5. Running for Miles instead of Fun: Goals are good, but stubborn ultra runners are not. If you find yourself making laps around your car to get an even 30 miler, you have a problem. Gosh darn it if we don't find ways to make runs harder and more miserable. I like the new take on training where athletes track their running by hours instead of miles. You just can't judge a trail run by distance.

6. Wearing a Shirt while Running: Totally overrated unless you live in Bellingham, Alaska, you're albino, are wearing a pack or it's wintertime in the mountains. Ok, so maybe shirts won't go away entirely, but it sure is fun to feel the freedom of bare skin during our little dance on the trail! No one cares if you don't like your belly, dig it!!

7. Obsessing over Splits: Ahh, it feels good to feel in control. But it's all a big beautiful illusion my running friend, take it from a running control freak like me. Splits Smitz. Better to spend that time carbo loading on another IPA and watching Breaking Bad.

8. The Good 'ol Training Race Ego Bust: If I beat your ass in a race I don't want to hear that you were just using it as a training run. C'mon stoke my ego a little better than that! But seriously, no need to have elaborate explanations for your performance. It is what it is. A finish is a finish. Nice work!

9. Overtraining to get Stronger: This one is for me. It's the rest time that makes us stronger, paired with good training. Rest Candice rest!!!!

I'm an adventurer first and foremost. I am an avid trail runner, student of yoga and crazy for slack lining. I race 100 mile ultra marathons. I like to see the world upside down and I hope my blog helps you see it that way too! Welcome! I love hearing from you.

Monday, February 17, 2014

There's something in the air. It's exciting! The wind and storms have cleansed the forests and my very own limbs all the way through my bones. I ran through a storm and the trees yelped and the wind howled and I felt the change. Daily hot yoga has flowed rivers of change through my body and through the effort, my mind feels cleansed as well. Each moment holds this infinite possibility and strength of spirit. I feel more inspired than ever. Lots of good stuff coming!

At work, I'm organizing 9 trail races, one of which is the brand new Tahoe 200 mile Endurance Run, a full single loop around my favorite place in the world (although honestly I have lots of favorite places). I'm also super excited to be helping build the trail running community in Washington State and specifically Bellingham as President of the Bellingham Trail Running Club and owner/race director of the Bellingham Trail Running Series. I love seeing the club grow and being a part of peoples incredible trail running adventures.

For 2014, I'm working hard to add a few Running Tours. One will hopefully be in the Hawaiian Islands and another in Washington State. I have two spectacular places in mind for Washington. For now, it's a secret, but I hope to announce at least one of the tours soon.

Enjoy these incredible photos by Mike Powell that he took during our photoshoot in December!

I'm an adventurer first and foremost. I am an avid trail runner, student of yoga and crazy for slack lining. I race 100 mile ultra marathons. I like to see the world upside down and I hope my blog helps you see it that way too! Welcome! I love hearing from you.